Chicagoland Sustainability Calendar

Listing selected events
for those interested in living more sustainably
with emphasis on ecological food production.
Featuring the activities of the
Chicagoland Urban Permaculture (CUP) Group
-- promoting integrated living through permaculture. See Greening Chicago Calendar for more events.

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Coming up soon....Gardening with Mushrooms Saturday, March 24th12 - 4 pmFind out how to grow food as part of natures recycling program. Select two (logs or other processes) from several species and techniques to take home with you. Some are colorful and remain so for months. To register, $15 checks to Kenneth Otto, must be received by March 20. Please include your phone number. Follow up guidance will be provided.At North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago, 60646Send checks there.

** CLOSING CONCERNs **http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article2116873.ece World faces hottest year ever, as El Niño combines with global warming ..."essential" that a global agreement on emissions is struck quickly....[expect] extreme weather ...for at least the first four months of 2007 ...[perhaps] lasting up to 18 months,... 01 January 2007

Monday, February 27, 2006

Coming up in April...

Crises and Opportunities- Learning from Cuba?Saturday, April 8th, 2-4pm

View and discuss The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oila recently released 50 minute documentary on their response to losing over half their oil imports in 1990. A review of resource depletion and climate change concerns will highlight the story's relevance to Chicago's future.

According to one reviewer, "In Cuba, the sudden weaning off petroleum started bringing rapid improvements in productivity through experimentation, citizen involvement, and eventually feelings of security for all concerned. Now the nation has a proud track record of having coped with serious adversity (beyond the threat of U.S invasion and subversion)."-- Jan Lundberg in Culture Change Letter #124

At North Park Village Nature Center 5801 N Pulaski, ChicagoTurn left at the T intersection.Free and open to the public.Information: 773-907-1465 or raelearth (@ no spam) yahoo (dot) com

Friday, December 30, 2005

Bioregionalism, often considered synonymous with permaculture, is gaining in influence. Driven by it's compelling vision, BioRegional spearheaded the development of the Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED), the UK's largest ecovillage and first zero carbon development. This project inspired China to contract with the BedZED engineers to design and build a number of eco-cities. Learn more about the bioregional vision, these projects, and other applications, plus similar ones in Illinois.

Find out about one of the more promising alternatives to corporate globalization -- bioregionalism. The presenter, Rael Bassan will talk about his experiences with the bioregional movement for over ten years, starting with Chicago's Wild Onion Alliance. Additional material discussed will include parts of Mike Carr's recent book Bioregionalism And Civil Society: Democratic Challenges to Corporate Globalism (July 2005). It describes the values, strategies, and tools for building sustainable societies, developed by this continent's bioregional movement.

Another definitional view... [Click there for more bioregional stuff]Bioregionalism is a fancy name for living a rooted life. Sometimes called "living in place," bioregionalism means you are aware of the ecology, economy and culture of the place where you live, and are committed to making choices that enhance them.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Join our five panelists in discussing our "Natural Building Futures". Find out about opportunities for building and decorating more ecologically, using materials that are nearby and easy to use. Help envision greater use of these techniques in Chicagoland and at the Nature Center. Consider how significant a contribution they can make to living sustainably.

Panelists are:Chad Bliss, experienced in cob and strawbale construction, founder of the The Cob Connection.Miguel Elliott http://yourmudhut.com/ a cofounder of Urban Habitat Chicago, which is pushing alternative material building in Chicago. He has recently started ChiCobCo.Dave Kozlowski, of Little Green Houses, who has incorporated natural and greener building materials in numerous remodeling projects and new construction.Judy Speer, who has utilized many techniques at her gathering center in McHenry County, which is offeringan introductory workshop, Saturday, October 22, $55 (includes lunch). Register by 10/15815-648-1372, smwaters@intergate.comJamie Topper, creator of the cob hands sculpture in the Nature Center's preserve.

Some additional details about potential at the Nature CenterThe Nature Center is considering using natural building techniques to create a structure at their nature study area in the next year or so. The nature study area is 12 acres at the SE corner of North Park Village, which is separate from the preserve, and has fewer restrictions on structures. A preliminary proposal will be developed for a future design charette at the Nature Center that primarily focuses on the preserve. This panel discussion will help those interested to explore the next steps.

The Nature Center's advisory committee initiated discussion of the project last month. They envision a secure (lockable) multi-functional structure, whose uses could include: tool and equipment storage, workshop presentations, nature observation and meditation. It could be build on the site of a demolished building in the north east leg of the nature study area, which has an intact cement floor. However, do not let this initial conceptualization limit your creativity.

For more information contact Rael Bassan at 773-907-1465 or raelrearth@yahoo.com

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Our next event:

Sustainability StoriesWednesday, August 31, 7-9 pmShare recent sustainability experiences and news. Integrate the visions they generated. Explore new opportunities. Discuss their relevance and how they can be best developed. Consider how we can jumpstart a more sustainable future.

Three regional sustainabiity fairs provided major resources for inspiration:1) The 1st Illinois Sustainable Living Fair and Earth Day Celebration was held at Bloomington/Normal, April 22-23, 2005.They plan on repeating it in 2006.http://www.centerforsustainablecommunity.org/ISLFair/index.html2) The 16th Midwest Renewable Energy Fair, Custer, WI (worlds largest)held June 17-19, 2005. www.the-mrea.org/energy_fair.php3) The 4th Illinois Renewable Energy Fair, August 13-14, added Sustainable Living to their title this year, together with a Sustainable Living Tent, which housed the contributions of numerous participants. http://www.illinoisrenew.org/events/events.html

And coming up in November...A "Peak Oil" and Community Solutions planning meeting, inspired by the2nd U.S. Conference on "Peak Oil" and Community SolutionsSeptember 23 - 25, Yellow Springs, OH.http://www.communitysolution.org/05conf1.html

At North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago.Turn left at the first "T" intersection.

Sponsored by Chicagoland Urban Permaculture (CUP)Free and open to the public.Information: Rael Bassan, 773-907-1465, raelearth@yahoo.com

Thursday, April 07, 2005

Coming up in May...Info: Rael 773-907-1465 raelearth at yahoo.com

Permaculture Principles; Urban Food ProductionWednesday, May 18, 7-9 pmExplore the significance of permaculture and it's principles, and how they can be applied to urban living and food production. Whether you have limited indoor growing space or an extensive yard, producing more of of your own food may be increasingly valuable. Applying ecological insights can make the process more efficient and delightful. Featuring Bill Shores, a permaculture grower from Ohio.North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago

Gardening with MushroomsSaturday, May 21, 11 am - 4 pmFind out how to grow food as part of natures recycling program. Select two (logs or other processes) from several species and techniques to take home with you. Some are colorful and remain so for months. To register, $15 checks to Kenneth Otto, must be received by May 18. Please include your phone number. Follow up guidance will be available.At North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago, 60646Send checks there.